Swansea official says area near routes 6 and 136 is seeing 'new wave' of business development

Tuesday

Jul 22, 2014 at 4:52 PMJul 22, 2014 at 4:56 PM

Roadside marketplace, several other new ventures planned at location

Deborah Allard Herald News Staff Reporter @debsallard

SWANSEA — The Farmer’s Garden Roadside Marketplace will be a shop where customers can find local products and home-baked goods — and even partake in cooking demonstrations.

Steven Noons, third-generation owner of the property at the corner of GAR Highway and Mason Street, will run the new marketplace with his wife, Tammy Noons.

The couple left their full-time jobs to focus on the farm business.

The Noons Farm consists of about 8 acres in Swansea on four parcels and stretches into Rehoboth on another 8 or so acres.

Currently, there is a small farm stand on the property. A new building will be constructed.

Tammy Noons said she and her husband want to open something on a “bigger scale.”

Offerings will include local products like eggs and cheese, coffee, bakery items, pie and deli goods.

Harvest table classes are also being planned.

The Planning Board approved the site plan at its regular meeting. The Noons have also cleared plans with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission.

Tammy Noons said they hope to break ground in August and open before the end of the year.

Town Planner Steve Antinelli said it was a “terrific spot” for that type of business.

“They’ll be selling more than corn and tomatoes," Antinelli said. "I think they’ll do very well there.”

Besides the Farmer’s Garden Roadside Marketplace, there are other businesses interested in the area.

Antinelli said there seems to be a “new wave of business development” situated around routes 6 and 136.

“I think the area was sort of undervalued,” Antinelli said. “Clearly, the economy is improving.”

Other projects include the new Bristol Toyota dealership to be built at the former Baker Tractor property at 2283 GAR Highway, an expansion at Tickle’s country shop and tea room at 2219 GAR Highway, to include a brand new restaurant at the site, and the new Spring Valley water-processing facility to be constructed with three retail spaces at 1941 GAR Highway.

A new dental office is planned for the area, as well.

The Planning Board continued a site plan review to August for a dental practice at 2302 GAR Highway, next to the CVS at routes 6 and 136.

It would be owned by dentist Michael Sefranek, who also runs dental practices in Fall River and Barrington, Rhode Island.

There is an old house on the property that will be demolished. A new building will be constructed for the dental office.